Starting infield, which must remain in game at leastthree innings, features exceptionally sharp hitting, with accent on skillrather than power. Only Wertz, always a big home-run and RBI threat,consistently hits the long ball. Fox and Kuenn rip singles and doubles to allfields, are hard to fool, run very well. Kell, although now past his prime, issmart and tough to get out. But only Fox is rated a superior fielder; Wertz,Kuenn and Kell all lack range. Stengel, however, is blessed with replacementssuperior to the starters in the field and in some cases capable of hittingbetter, too: Skowron at first, the exceptionally gifted McDougald at third orshort and Malzone at third. The rookie Richardson would be in the same categoryexcept for Fox's all-round brilliance; as it is he will furnish defensiveinsurance, with DeMaestri, on the bench. It is the type of lineup Stengel likesto have, one which affords him the opportunity of maneuvering to meet anysituation. Versatility and superior hitting give American League a very slightedge. [Check mark]

One of the All-Star Game's great outfields, with itsonly weak ness Williams' defensive deficiencies in left. But when one considersthe terrific speed and range of Mantle and Kaline—and the fact that Williamshas been the most dominant figure in All-Star history—this is a petty point.The three are thunderous hitters; each has won at least one battingchampionship, and they all drive the ball out of the park. In addition, atleast as far as opposing pitchers are concerned, the three are actually four:Williams hitting left, Kaline right and Mantle either way. The reserves rankhigh in run production (Sievers has led the league most of the year) andfurnish pinch-hitting depth. But it is mainly because of Williams and Mantlethat the American League has a slight edge here too. [Check mark]

In a normal year, one would have only to look toBerra and rate American League catching as the best. But for Berra 1957 hashardly been a normal year. His hitting has fallen off badly both in average andrun production and neither Triandos, who hits hard but is slow, nor Howard,whose catching experience is limited, can fill the void. [Right Sign]

Against a predominantly right-hand-hitting NationalLeague lineup, a manager might be expected to start with the best and mostdependable right-hander on his staff, in this case, the smooth, tireless oldveteran, Early Wynn. But Stengel, who likes surprises, might choose to open upinstead with the biggest surprise of the year, Billy Loes, or the youthfulTiger strikeout whiz, Jim Bunning. However, the real strength of the AmericanLeague staff is left-handed: smart little Bobby Shantz, in the midst of theseason's finest comeback, and the pitcher who has started three of the lastfour All-Star Games, Chicago's brilliant Billy Pierce. Ready for emergenciesare the two relief aces, Grim (right) and Mossi (left). It is a crew with goodspeed, above-average control and a bewildering variety of pitches. It is alsodependable, and rates a solid edge. [Check mark]

SUM UPThe starting lineup, with five left-hand hitters operating in a park with afriendly right-field fence, has an offensive advantage over the oppositionwhich will be only partially diminished by inferior speed and defensive skill.It is hard to imagine a team which includes Mantle, Williams, Wertz, Kaline,Kuenn, Fox and Berra held in check for long; they are sure to score some runs.The reserves are also impressive, perhaps more so than those of the NationalLeague: Skowron, McDougald, Malzone, Minoso, Sievers and the rest. And thepitching staff, which undoubtedly would have been made a great deal moredazzling by the presence of a healthy Whitey Ford and Herb Score, still appearsto be capable and smart and steady enough to do the job. It is about time thatStengel won another All-Star Game, and this year he appears to have the edge.[Check mark]